Steve Zahn Joining Modern Family Season 6 in a Recurring Role

Looks like the Dunphys are getting a new neighbor that even Phil won’t be able to befriend.

According to TVLine, actor Steve Zahn (Treme, Mind Games) is joining Modern Family for season six in the recurring role of Ronnie, “the patriarch of the new family that moves in next door to the Dunphys.” Reportedly, Ronnie and his family that are supposed to be an absolute nightmare.

In recent years, Zahn has been a series regular on the HBO music drama Treme, which just finished its four-season run this past year, and starred in the short-lived ABC drama Mind Games, created by Kyle Killen (Awake, Lone Star), alongside Christian Slater. His other television credits include guest starring roles on Monk and Friends, and he’s also appeared in numerous films, such as the Oscar-winning Dallas Buyers Club, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and A Perfect Getaway.

In addition to Zahn, other guest stars for the upcoming sixth season of Modern Family include Workaholics and Pitch Perfect star Adam DeVine, who, in season five, played Manny’s caretaker Andy, a character that series co-creator Christopher Lloyd reportedly wants to incorporate into the show more.

“We have big plans,” co-creator Christopher Lloyd told Speakeasy when asked about DeVine. “We’ve actually written him into several episodes. He will be a very prominent part of our group.”

In the same interview with Speakeasy, Lloyd emphasized what type of show Modern Family is and what makes it so different and special than other sitcoms on the air right now.

“It’s not just a comedy about sarcastic comments,” Lloyd said. “We try to find stories that have fine qualities to them. People tune in, can laugh and be touched at the same time.”

Modern Family returns for its sixth season on ABC on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

Chris is the Managing Editor of TVOvermind. A graduate of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where he majored in English and Film, he has been writing for TVOvermind for over two years and has written about several different television shows, such as New Girl, Breaking Bad, Glee, and Homeland. Contact him through Twitter (@ckinger13) or email (chris@tvovermind.com).